photo by: Contributed renderings

Several projects have applied for funding from Lawrence's Affordable Housing Advisory Board in 2019. They are, top row from left, Penn Street Lofts (rendering by H2B Architects) and Bethel Estates of Lawrence Phase II (rendering by Wallace Architects), and bottom row from left, Westside Affordable Ownership Development (rendering by HMA Architects) and 23 Tenn Flats (rendering by Hoke Ley Architecture & Design).

Affordable housing projects requesting money from the city include a mixed-income townhome community, apartments for seniors and the city’s first building project to utilize a new density bonus.

Seven projects and programs recently submitted funding applications to the city’s Affordable Housing Advisory Board, and the board will provide its funding recommendation to the Lawrence City Commission following an upcoming evaluation.

Lawrence voters approved a sales tax in 2017 that will provide about $1 million annually to the city’s affordable housing fund for the next 10 years, and the city began receiving proceeds from the sales tax in July. The city awarded $250,000 in affordable housing funding earlier this year, and Housing Administrator Alissa Ice said the city will be awarding up to $475,000 during this round of funding. Ice said this group of projects will be the first to be funded using proceeds from the sales tax.

Summaries of the seven affordable housing projects compiled by the Journal-World are as follows. Each project’s full funding application is available on the city’s website, lawrenceks.org.

• 23 Tenn Flats is requesting $235,000 toward the land purchase needed to construct a mixed-income neighborhood of 17 townhomes. At least 25% of the townhomes will be permanently affordable units. The two- and three-bedroom energy-efficient townhomes will be located at 2314 Tennessee St., where there is currently a vacant property that is in disrepair. The townhomes will be sold to income-eligible households making 30% to 80% of area median income. Porch Light Homes is acting as the developer, architect and contractor.

• Bethel Estates is requesting $400,000 toward the construction of 42 one- and two-bedroom apartments for seniors. The units will be temporarily affordable for a period of 30 years. The project will be phase two of the existing Bethel Estates development, located at the intersection of O’Connell Road and 25th Terrace. The apartments will be leased to people age 55 and older making up to 60% of area median income. Wheatland Investments is the developer.

• Penn Street Lofts is requesting $550,000, to be broken up over three funding periods, toward the construction of a mixed-use development that will include 47 rental units. The units will be temporarily affordable for a period of 15 years. The studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units will be located in the arts district in East Lawrence at 800 Pennsylvania St. The units will be rented to income-eligible households making from 30% to 80% of area median income. The ground floor will consist of 4,581 square feet of commercial space and seven live-work units with potential for artist studios and creative arts applications. Tony Krsnich is the developer.

• Tenants to Homeowners, a local nonprofit organization, is requesting $50,000 toward the construction of two four-bedroom energy-efficient homes. Both homes will be held in trust and remain permanently affordable. The two homes will be built on an RS10-zoned lot, a residential lot of at least 10,000 square feet. The location of the lot is to be determined, but it will be west of Iowa Street. The project will use the city’s newly approved density bonus, which allows lots to be split if both the homes will be permanently affordable. The homes will initially be sold for $150,000 to households making 80% or less of area median income.

• Tenants to Homeowners is also requesting $25,000 toward its new Helping Hammer Senior Repair Program. The program provides home repairs and modifications for seniors and people with disabilities making 80% or less of area median income. Homes can receive up to $5,000 in repairs or modifications and homes that receive more than $2,500 require payback if sold.

• Lawrence Habitat for Humanity, a local nonprofit organization, is requesting $37,000 toward the construction of one affordable home and a program that makes home repairs for low-income seniors. The home will be permanently affordable and constructed near the intersection of Eighth and Walnut streets. The home will be sold to a family making less than 60% of area median income. The home repair program is open to seniors making less than 80% of area median income.

• Lawrence Community Shelter, the local homeless shelter, is requesting $110,000 for a rental assistance voucher program. The vouchers will be provided to families that are homeless or at risk of homelessness that are making less than 30% of area median income. Approximately 20 households will be served.

The applicants will present their project proposals to the board at its meeting Monday. Each member of the board will then evaluate the proposals individually and score each project, and the board will finalize its funding recommendations as part of its meeting Nov. 11. The recommendations will be sent on Nov. 19 to the Lawrence City Commission, which will make the ultimate decision.

The board will meet at 11 a.m. Monday at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.